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Roles reversed, but challenged call isn't

3/10/14: A close play at the plate is challenged by the Brewers and the umpires call stands after review

By Alyson Footer
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MLB.com |

PHOENIX -- Brewers manager Ron Roenicke calmly asked for the umpires to review a play at the plate in the ninth inning on Monday, but for reasons other than what the fans in the stands may have assumed.

Roenicke did not doubt that Jared Mitchell slid ahead of the tag on Jeff Keppinger's ground ball to third that put the White Sox ahead by a run. Rather, the skipper was simply granting a request from home plate umpire Scott Barry, who hadn't yet worked a Spring Training game where the replay system was in use.

This month is considered throughout the league as a trial run for the new process, and clearly, everyone wants to make sure they have this right before the games actually start to count.

Roenicke, who including Monday's game has challenged calls four times this spring, was happy to oblige.

"That's good," Roenicke said. "Good for us and good for him."

This marked the first time the White Sox were involved in a game where replay was used. The Brewers have been involved five times, including once when the opposing manager challenged a call.

The new replay rules allow each manager to use at least one challenge per game, and he'll receive an extra one if his initial challenge holds up. The umpire crew chief can use replay on reviewable calls starting in the seventh inning.

Alyson Footer is a national correspondent for MLB.com. Follow her on Twitter @alysonfooter. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.